This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/12/2024
This 1909-11 T206 Sweet Caporal 350/30 Eddie Plank PSA 4 VG-EX card is a remarkable card, being one of only three known to exist in this PSA 4 grade with the Sweet Caporal 350/30 backing. Eddie Plank, the Baseball Hall of Fame left-handed pitcher, was one of the game's most talented players. He was the first left-handed pitcher to achieve 200 wins and later 300 wins. With 326 career victories, he ranks third in all-time wins among left-handers, placing him 13th overall. Additionally, he holds the record for the most career shutouts by a left-handed pitcher, with 66. During his time with the Philadelphia Athletics, Plank appeared in five World Series, although he missed the 1910 Series due to injury. His World Series stats are impressive: 6 games started, 7 games pitched, 54.2 innings pitched, allowing just 36 hits, striking out 32 batters, and maintaining a stellar 1.32 ERA. Despite these numbers, his World Series record was an unfortunate 2 wins and 5 losses. Eddie Plank passed away on February 24, 1926, after suffering a stroke. A few months later, on August 26, 1926, Babe Ruth wrote a memorial letter for Plank, which was published in newspapers. Ruth praised Plank, stating, “Personally, I think Eddie Plank was one of the best pitchers who ever stepped into the box. ... Eddie Plank was the real ‘daddy’ of the brainy players. I’ve seen him strike out heavy hitters with pitched balls that didn’t have a thing on ‘em.” Ruth also mentioned Ty Cobb’s high regard for Plank, noting that Cobb considered him “one of the greatest pitchers in all baseball.” The rarity of the T206 Eddie Plank card is due to several theories. One theory is that Plank, like Honus Wagner, did not want to endorse tobacco products. Another theory suggests that the printing plate for the T206 Plank card was broken for an extended period. A third theory proposes it was simply a production error. Initially, the T206 Plank card was printed and distributed with Sweet Caporal 150 No. 25 and No. 30 backs. However, when the Piedmont 150 sheets were pulled due to the T206 Wagner issue, the T206 Plank card was also withheld from distribution. Following the Piedmont 150 printing, the T206 Plank card was never again included in the print runs, except for the Sweet Caporal 350 No. 30 series. The reason why the tobacco companies ceased printing his card remains unknown. This particular T206 Sweet Caporal 350/30 Eddie Plank PSA 4 VG-EX card is in excellent condition. Plank is depicted with his collar popped on the iconic Philadelphia Athletics jersey, with his name, team, and league listed beneath his portrait. The card features white borders and a distinctive royal blue background. Although there is a slight mark above the portrait on the top white border and minor edge wear, the card has been remarkably well preserved. "Gettysburg Eddie" was a Hall of Fame pitcher who helped the Athletics to three World Series victories, but he never fully received the recognition he deserved. The T206 Eddie Plank card is one of the most exclusive cards in the hobby and acquiring this Sweet Cap 350/30 PSA 4 VG-EX version would be a dream for any collector.